Method and system for improving voice communication experience in mobile communication devices

Abstract

A mobile communication device has a body that houses electronic components and a front panel comprising a display, said mobile communication device further comprising at least one standard microphone and a vibration sensor located in vibrational connection with the front panel of the device.

1 . A mobile communication device having a body that houses electronic components and a front panel comprising a display, said mobile communication device further comprising at least one standard microphone and a vibration sensor located in vibrational connection with the front panel of the device. 
     
     
         2 . A mobile communication device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a bone conduction speaker. 
     
     
         3 . A mobile communication device according to  claim 1 , wherein the vibration sensor is attached to the front panel. 
     
     
         4 . A mobile communication device according to  claim 1 , comprising a processor configured to operate differently as a result of a determination that the user of the mobile communication device is operating it in one of the following modes:
 i) a “Speaker Mode” with the device far from the user's mouth;   ii) a “Speaker Mode” with the device close to the user's mouth;   iii) a “Handheld Mode” with the device in contact with one of the user's ear;   iv) a “Handheld Mode” with the device in contact with one of the user's ear while the second ear is closed.   
     
     
         5 . A mobile communication device according to  claim 4 , wherein the mode is i) and the processor activates one or more standard microphones. 
     
     
         6 . A mobile communication device according to  claim 4 , wherein the mode is ii) or iii) and the processor activates two or more standard microphones located at two different locations in the communication device, and further operates a vibration detector positioned so as to detect vibration generated by the user's voice on the device's panel. 
     
     
         7 . A mobile communication device according to  claim 5 , wherein the mode is iv) and the processor activates two or more standard microphones, a vibration detector and a bone conduction speaker. 
     
     
         8 . A mobile communication device according to  claim 1 , wherein when the bone conducting speaker is activated the processor is configured to balance the signal transmitted to the ears so as to provide to the user a voice of approximately the same intensity in both ears. 
     
     
         9 . A mobile communication device according to  claim 1 , which is provided with an indicator suitable to alert the user that the phone is located at a distance from his mouth that is greater than a predetermined value. 
     
     
         10 . A mobile communication device according to  claim 9 , wherein the indicator provides an acoustic signal. 
     
     
         11 . A mobile communication device according to  claim 9 , wherein the indicator provides a visual signal. 
     
     
         12 . A mobile communication device according to  claim 1 , which is provided with a noise reduction indicator suitable to provide an indication to the user of the level of noise reduction that a conversation is enjoying. 
     
     
         13 . A method for operating a mobile communication device having a body that houses electronic components and a front panel comprising a display, said mobile communication device further comprising at least one standard microphone and a vibration sensor located in vibrational connection with the front panel of the device, the method comprising providing a processor configured to operate differently as a result of a determination that the user of the mobile communication device is operating it in one of the following modes:
 i) a “Speaker Mode” with the device far from the user's mouth;   ii) a “Speaker Mode” with the device close to the user's mouth;   iii) a “Handheld Mode” with the device in contact with one of the user's ear;   iv) a “Handheld Mode” with the device in contact with one of the user's ear while the second ear is closed.   
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the mode is i) and the processor activates one or more standard microphones. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the mode is ii) or iii) and the processor activates two or more standard microphones located at two different locations in the communication device, and further operates a vibration detector positioned so as to detect vibration generated by the user's voice on the device's panel. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the mode is iv) and the processor activates two or more standard microphones, a vibration detector and a bone conduction speaker.